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Mini One 2003 disable pass airbag- help

  • 13-10-2009 7:57pm
    #1
    carolyoc
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6 ✭


    i have a 2003 mini one which doesnt have the switch newer models have to disable the passenger airbag, bmw dont carry this out anymore either- as im due my first baby i need to get this switched off or change my car as its too tight to get in and out of the back, anybody have any experience in this- thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Owen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,683 ✭✭✭✭Owen


    You can disable the seat airbag with a plug in module that's used when John Cooper Works seats are fitted, but the dashboard one BMW will not do unfortunately. You could go to an independent mechanic and get them to replace it with a 4 ohm resistor, but most will shy away from interfering with safety equipment.


  • #3
    Seth Brundle
    Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 41,239 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    The general consensus is that the baby is safer in the back.
    Some dealers may be able to deprogram it if you sign a disclaimer though. Your insurance company will need to know and may prevent this course of action.
    My solution: get another car!


  • #4
    Myrddin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 33,733 ✭✭✭✭Myrddin


    BMW have been known to do this in the past, but only rarely. For the last few years now they have been saying they wont perform this work, as it makes them liable for any harm done further down the road.

    As your car gets older and goes from owner to owner, somewhere along the line somebody will acquire the car not knowing the airbag is switched off. If anything bad happens due to a non-deployment of an airbag, BMW are in a lot of hot water.

    I would be surprised if you get somebody to do this for you. Dont mini's have their side airbag in the side of the seat also? So you would be looking at a frontal and side airbag disconnection....

    I would advise to use the back for the carseat, as its safer anyway. And worst case, change the car.


  • #5
    PaddyFagan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭PaddyFagan


    carolyoc wrote: »
    i have a 2003 mini one which doesnt have the switch newer models have to disable the passenger airbag, bmw dont carry this out anymore either- as im due my first baby i need to get this switched off or change my car as its too tight to get in and out of the back, anybody have any experience in this- thanks

    Like the other posters I'd recommend against getting the air bag disabled - my wife used to have a Mini One (we found it fine with one child, but with two we ran out of space:D) - what we got was a base for the baby seat - her car didn't have iso-fix, so the base was fixed in with the seatbeat and a foot which locked against the rear floor - the baby seat then "clicked" into the base - it worked well and there was a handle to release the baby seat at the front of the unit so getting them out wasn't too hard either.

    We got it from these guys - http://www.babydaysdirect.co.uk/.

    prodzoomimg285.jpg

    Paddy.


  • #6
    carolyoc
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6 ✭carolyoc


    thanks for the replies, yeah i was thinking it would be best not to have an independent mechanic mess with safety features, needed confirmation i guess. best to change the car or use the back seat.
    i tried one of those bases in halfords and they def make it easier than messing with seatbelts everytime, just thought accessing the back all the time would be a pain given the weight of the seat plus baby but i have hope when i hear of others who have kept the car cause i dont want to get rid of it, only have it a year! cheers!


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  • #7
    PaddyFagan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭PaddyFagan


    carolyoc wrote: »
    i have hope when i hear of others who have kept the car cause i dont want to get rid of it, only have it a year! cheers!

    Yeah - my wife had only ordered hers when we found out she was expecting - she held on to it for 4 years in the end. She still misses the Mini, even though with the two kids it really was too small - in the end the problem was all the bits and bobs we had to carry around with two kids - a small boot and all the seats being filled made it impossible.

    But with just one it was fine, just be careful with the buggy you buy - don't forget you'll need to carry a change bag as well having some room for shopping! - We got a Quinny Zap (it folds up super small) which is also compatible with the same car seat as the base I posted earlier. The real win here is that if the baby falls asleep in the car, you can lift the car seat out and onto the buggy easily without waking them:D

    Paddy


  • #8
    PaddyFagan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭PaddyFagan


    One other thing - the baby will only be in the rearward facing seat for approx 9 months, before they move into a forward facing seat. I know that probably seems like forever now, but it will come around quickly. Before you know it they'll be climbing in by themselves and you'll only have to reach in to help fasten their belt!

    Paddy


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